About Melissa
Hello, I’m Mel!
I’m a Canadian travel blogger who has been traveling and living abroad since 2014.
Learn more about my story below.
Life before blogging
I’m originally from Quebec, Canada. Back in the days, I used to be a social worker. I used to travel once a year for about a month and I was always spending my summers in Europe since I was 20 years old.
In June 2014, I started my journey around the world at the age of 25.
Life on the road
I first started my journey in the Canadian Rockies, where I hitch-hiked my way around. Then, I moved to Australia for two years. I started A Broken Backpack in July 2015. Back then, I was working on a farm in Australia and needed something to stay entertained. Quickly, A Broken Backpack became popular.
After Australia, I decided to go on a backpacking trip to Southeast Asia. Later, I moved to the UK for less than a year.
In October 2017, I decided to move to Southeast Asia. Bali became my home for about one and a half years.
In 2019, I was based mostly in Thailand.
In 2020, I moved to Bulgaria.
In 2022, I moved to Thailand, and it became my main base.
Of course, I do plan occasional trips in and out, but since I’m running an online business and a few successful blogs, I prefer slow travel.
This brings me to you
A Broken Backpack offers excellent travel tips to help you stay on the road longer. I left Canada with less than CAD 2,000 in my name (and many student debts).
I’m living proof that you don’t need tons of savings to make your travel dreams come true.
I learned how to travel on the very cheap, volunteered when I needed to, and created an online business to support myself abroad. I share all these tips here on A Broken Backpack.
I’m now in my thirties, and my travel style has evolved. I’m not all about budget travel anymore, and I now travel with my husband (we met in Thailand).
So, A Broken Backpack is not just a budget travel blog anymore. You’ll find all the travel tips needed to plan your dream trip no matter your travel style, budget, or interest.
Pick Your Travel Style
Living Abroad
Backpacking
Camping
Hiking
Digital Nomadism
Volunteering
Read my latest blog posts
Is Interlaken Worth Visiting?
Is Interlaken worth visiting? This is a question that many people ask before traveling to Switzerland. In this article, we will cover all the reasons why you should visit this city and also list a few reasons why you might want to skip it. By the end of this guide,...
Is Porto Worth Visiting?
Is Porto worth visiting? This is a question that has been asked by many people, and the answer to this question is not always clear. Some people believe that Porto is worth visiting because of its rich history, while others believe that the city is only worth visiting...
Perfect One Day In Pompeii Itinerary
When most people think of Mount Vesuvius, they think of the catastrophic eruption in 79 A.D. that destroyed the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. But the volcano has erupted many times since then, most recently in 1944. Each time, it has buried villages and destroyed...
Worldpackers Review: Is Worldpackers Worth It?
Have you ever wished you could travel the world and see all its amazing sights without breaking the bank? Well, now there’s a way to do just that – and it’s called Worldpackers. Worldpackers is a website that connects travelers with hosts all over the globe who need...
Best Things To Do In Fussen, Germany
Looking for things to do in Fussen, Germany? Look no further! In this guide, you'll find the best things to do in Fussen, whether you're looking for culture, history, or just want to enjoy the great outdoors. We'll also give you travel tips so that you can organize a...
Perfect 4 Days In Amalfi Coast Itinerary
There’s no question that the Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful and picturesque areas in all of Italy. With its dramatic cliffs, sparkling seas, and quaint villages dotting the coast, it’s easy to see why this region is so popular with tourists. But what many...